Cyclone Ditwah heads toward Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, red alert issued

Cyclonic storm Ditwah has begun moving toward the north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coastlines, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday. The storm, currently over coastal Sri Lanka and the adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, was reportedly last tracked about 480 km south-southeast of Puducherry and 580 km south-southeast of Chennai late Thursday night.

Storm Path and Intensity

According to the IMD, Ditwah is reportedly advancing northwest at around 8 kmph and is expected to cross the Sri Lankan coast before heading into the Bay of Bengal. It is likely to approach the shores of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh by November 30.

Officials clarified that the storm is not expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm, though strong winds and heavy rainfall are anticipated along the affected coastline. Gale-force winds of 60–80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph, may occur near the storm’s centre, while outer bands may experience winds of 35–55 kmph.

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Alerts and Preparedness

The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has issued a red alert for the Cauvery Delta districts — Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai — until November 30. An orange alert is in effect for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet and Chengalpattu.

Fishermen have been strictly advised to avoid the south, central, southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal over the next five days.

Heavy Rains Expected In Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall across South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema from Saturday, particularly in districts including Chittoor, Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam and YSR Kadapa. Officials have begun preparedness measures as the region braces for impact.